ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
BROILER CHICKEN CASE STUDY
UK 1: RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD
INDOOR FARM
An account of a higher welfare indoor system with slower-growing
birds, reduced stocking density and environmental enrichment,
including natural light.
2
RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD INDOOR SYSTEM,
LANGALLER FARM, SOMERSET, UNITED KINGDOM
Higher welfare indoor system with reduced stocking densities, natural light and enrichments,
including straw bales to encourage active behaviours, and perches.
This is a study of a higher welfare indoor system
designed to produce higher welfare chicken at a
reasonable price. The system is certified by Freedom
Food, an inspection and certification system
designed to improve the welfare of farm animals.
Freedom Food is owned by the RSPCA, who set
its standards. The RSPCA set standards for higher
welfare indoor production, as in this example, as
well as for free-range and organic systems.
To improve welfare, the RSPCA welfare standards
for all systems include specific requirements:
•
2
Use of slower growing breeds which have
better welfare outcomes (listed opposite).
Parent birds of these breeds are also likely to
require less feed restriction;
•
Lower stocking densities than are permitted
by legislation;
•
Environmental enrichment including natural
light, bales of straw, perches and pecking
objects.
The system has positive welfare outcomes:
•
Birds remain much more active throughout
life, which is beneficial for leg health and
litter quality;
•
Lower levels of mortality, hock-burns,
footpad dermatitis and lameness;
•
High levels of health so that most flocks do
not require any antibiotics to treat or prevent
disease.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Breed
Robust, slower growing breeds such as those
used on this farm are easier to keep healthy. They
appear to have good immune systems, reducing
the likely need to use antibiotics. Slower growing
bones and joints are more likely to form properly
before the development of large muscle mass,
reducing the risk of infection and lameness.
The lower demands on a bird’s metabolism means
it is easier for the heart and lungs to keep up.
This leaves more energy for exercise and these
birds are more active. Their slightly smaller breasts
mean their bodies are less top-heavy and it is
easier for them to get around. Exercise is good
for health and helps to reduce lameness.
RSPCA standards stipulate that breeds of chicken
used in the system must not have the genetic
potential to grow more than 45g per day on
average1. This means that it takes at least seven
weeks for the birds to reach a slaughter weight
of 2.2kg if they are grown with the best feed in
optimum conditions.
Slower growth rates are required to reduce
the risks of lameness and mortality levels from
conditions such as ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
and Sudden Death Syndrome (a heart condition).
An additional key purpose of this requirement is
to reduce the levels of feed restriction required to
keep broiler breeders productive and healthy (see below).
Langaller Farm mainly keeps Hubbard JA757s, an
active breed with low levels of lameness, which
meets RSPCA requirements.
Active breeds of chicken are better able to
express the full range of natural behaviours
known to be good for mental health. Exercising
more is also good for leg health. They are also
better able to perch, where perches are provided,
which helps reduce the risk of lesions such as
hock burns.
JA757 birds competing for a fallen morsel. This breed is particularly active.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
3
Broiler breeders
Broiler breeders supplying Freedom Food systems, photographed in 2003. Hens, who are
brown, have feed available ad lib. Males, who are white, are fed once a day.
Male and female broiler breeders are the parents
of meat chickens and between them they share
the genetics which make their offspring grow
fast. The Freedom Food scheme does not monitor
the welfare of broiler breeders, but the lower
growth rate requirement for their offspring is
designed to improve the welfare of their parents.
Some breeds of broiler chicken are bred for
fast growth, but it is not a desirable trait in a
broiler breeder who needs to maintain health
and produce fertile eggs over a longer life-span.
Oversized broiler breeders suffer a range of health
problems and their fertility is compromised. They
need to be fertile to produce eggs for hatching.
A key welfare benefit of using slower growing
breeds of broilers is that parent birds require less
feed restriction. Moderate weight is maintained
in broiler breeders with fast-growth traits by
keeping them on a strict diet. Restricting fast
growth through limits to food intake is good for
production and prevents poor physical health,
but the feed restriction causes chronic hunger for
broiler breeders. This can result in stereotyped,
spot-pecking behaviour, over-consumption of
water and in some cases head-pecking. The
highest levels of feed restriction are during
the rearing phase. These are relaxed during
production, especially for females who need
4
Female JA57 broiler breeders. This is a
dwarf breed with good production of
fertile eggs. They can remain fit, healthy
and productive without feed restriction
during the laying period.
additional nutrition to produce eggs. The female
parents of the JA757 breed kept on this farm,
the JA57, have access to feed throughout their
productive lives. The male parents for JA757 birds
are standard males who do require feed restriction
to avoid ill health and infertility and are therefore
only fed once a day.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Stocking density
Low stocking densities and enriched environments are good for both physical and mental health.
RSPCA Freedom Food birds are given more space
than is required by legislation. The maximum
stocking density is 30kg/m2 for indoor systems
which works out at around 14 birds per square
metre. This is significantly less crowded than the
39kg/m2 permitted in Britain2 and the 42kg/m2
permitted by the EU Directive3. These work out at
around 17-19 birds per square metrei.
Lower stocking densities can improve the
environment in many ways:
•
Environmental temperatures caused by body
heat;
•
Humidity caused by evaporation from the
birds and related to their activities;
•
Ammonia pollution resulting from bird
droppings.
i
This also improves the quality of the litter, so
it is less likely to get damp. This reduces the
production of ammonia from the decay of the
birds’ faeces, reducing the risk of breast blisters
and hock and footpad burns. Good ventilation
is also important for improving litter quality and
reducing ammonia levels.
Lower stocking density also improves welfare
by giving the chickens space to move around,
reducing jostling and facilitating exercise.
Figures for birds per square metre are at a slaughter
weight of 2.2kg. All these densities can be higher where
thinning is practised.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
5
Environmental enrichment
Enrichments include perches, straw bales and
natural light.
JA57 perching.
Colouryield cross birds provided with footballs
as pecking objects. In general, edible and
destructible pecking objects such as straw
bales make the most effective enrichments.
Natural light and space encourage natural
behaviours such as this ritualistic sparring.
JA757 birds with one JA57 colouryield cross
front right.
A more stimulating environment can encourage
the birds to be active and display natural
behaviours. The environment is enriched through
several methods:
Natural light. A line of double-glazed windows
the length of the building encourages greater
bird activity. The amount of windowed space
provided must be to at least 3% of the total
floor area of the building;
•
Perches. Chickens naturally perch, though
some broiler breeds find this difficult as
they get larger and heavier. The provision of
perches enables birds to perform this natural
behaviour and it helps to keep them away
from the litter, so reducing risk of lesions such
as hock burns;
6
•
•
Bales of straw or of Miscanthus also allow birds
to perch. It also encourages scratching and
foraging behaviour as they dismantle the bales;
•
Pecking objects. The provision of footballs or
hanging CDs (the CDs have since been replaced
by rope) can also give the birds something to
do, though the edible objects are the best. The
welfare standards recommend brassicas and
hanging wooden blocks.
All these enrichments encourage natural
behaviour and encourage exercise which is good
for leg health.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Welfare outcomes
The purpose of using slower growing breeds,
increasing space allowance and enriching the
environment is to improve welfare. To be sure this
works, welfare outcomes need to be measured.
Are the birds more active? Do they walk more easily
without painful lameness? Do they suffer less from
lesions such as hock burns and footpad dermatitis?
Are levels of sickness and mortality reduced?
The RSPCA welfare standards require farmers
to monitor a range of welfare outcome
measures and set targets for them4. These
include lameness, back scratches as well as
hock burns, footpad burns and breast blisters.
Hock and footpad burns are recorded at the
slaughterhouse.
Birds on this farm showed good welfare
outcomes. The JA757s are highly active, showed
low signs of lameness or gait abnormality and no
hock or footpad lesions were observed. Mortality
levels average 2.5%.
Previous research conducted at farms which are
part of the same group indicated low levels of
mortality (1.8%) and hock and footpad lesions
(3.5% each)5.
The farm was not using antibiotics currently and
the birds appeared to be in good health. This is
consistent with other anecdotal evidence that this
system requires less antimicrobial use, a powerful
positive welfare outcome.
Good welfare outcomes are likely to be a result
of a combination of breed, lower stocking
density, ventilation and environmental enrichment
together with good management.
Exercise is good for all animals and these birds
are active. This is partly because slower growth
can facilitate well-balanced development and also
because it leaves more energy for exercise. It is
partly because they have a lower centre of gravity,
due to a smaller proportion of breast meat, which
facilitates movement. Lower stocking density
leaves them space to move around and high
levels of light and other enrichments further
encourage exercise. All of this exercise in turn is
good for leg health which also benefits directly
from the slower growth.
Active birds also spend less time in contact with
the litter, reducing the risk of lesions such as
hock burns. Perching also reduces risk. Anecdotal
evidence from a previous farm visit also suggested
that litter management is easier with these breeds.
This may be due to slower, more efficient digestion.
Skin health itself may vary between breeds.
Alternatively, it is also the case that lower
stocking density will reduce the moisture and
nitrogenous wastes produced by the birds,
reducing the amount of ammonia produced by
bacteria in the litter. Together these may explain
the relatively low levels of hock and footpad
burns in this system.
Market
The Freedom Food scheme currently has around
2% of the British chicken market sales6. Freedom
Food certified indoor chicken is sold at a price
intermediate between standard and free-range
chicken. In one supermarket visited, it retailed for
around 20% per kilo more compared to standard
chicken, and around 10% lower than free-rangei.
It is marketed to consumers who are looking for a
higher welfare chicken at an affordable price.
The moderately higher retail price helps to cover the
cost of production. This is increased by the reduced
number of chickens produced per year in each shed.
This is partly due to the reduced stocking density
and also to the longer time it takes for the slower
growing birds to reach slaughterweight. Food
conversion efficiency is also slightly less efficient,
mainly due to the longer lifespan.
However, the better health of the birds results in
cost benefits. According to RSPCA research7, this
includes:
•
Lower mortality rate;
•
Lower numbers of “dead-on-arrivals” at the
slaughterhouse;
•
Fewer slaughterhouse rejects;
•
A significantly higher percentage of Grade A
birds;
•
Lower levels of hockburn and footpad burn.
There is evidence also of health benefits for
consumers buying chicken to look out for slower
growing birds8. Altogether, higher welfare
production can be profitable. The higher value of
the birds at retail also increases the total value of
the poultry market.
Prices per kilo for whole chicken in Sainsbury’s, Godalming, 24/02/12 were “Basics” £2.39; Standard £2.96; Freedom Food £3.57;
i
Freedom Food corn-fed £3.95; Free-range £4. This group supplies Sainsbury’s, though we cannot be sure these chickens did not
come from a different supplier.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
7
Future developments
The RSPCA is involved in a welfare outcomes
assessment programme called AssurWel9. This is
in conjunction with the Soil Association, the UK’s
leading organic association, and the University
of Bristol. It is an aim of AssureWel to examine
outcome measures for broilers by 2015.
Currently, the producer removes about 20%
of the flock for slaughter at 42 days of age, a
process called thinning. The RSPCA is considering
banning thinning to reduce stress to the
animals, but currently permits this to occur once.
However, there are specific standards in place
to help reduce any stress associated with this
practice. Prohibiting thinning would remove
stress caused by the additional catching process
and preparations for it. Where thinning is not
practised, it is usual to start with a lower initial
stocking density, so the birds have more space.
However, this additional space would increase the
cost of production.
The RSPCA is also planning to set requirements
for broiler breeder farms in future.
SUMMARY
This is a system with benefits for people and
chickens which the producers believe is “a
realistic compromise for welfare that is
feasible”.
1. For consumers, it provides a higher
welfare bird for a modest additional
cost. The added value in the product also
helps to support the rural economy.
2. For the birds, it means better health and
higher welfare in return for a modest
reduction in food conversion efficiency.
3. For the stockperson, working a system
with active birds enjoying higher welfare
is a rewarding experience. According
to the farmer David Christopher: “The
benefits to me [means the system is]
more pleasant to work with … The
birds look better, streets ahead and the
pleasure of working with the birds is
much greater. Much better welfare”.
A less intensive system is easier to
manage. Lower stocking densities makes it
easier to walk around the shed as the birds
reach their slaughterweight. Together,
they make it easier to inspect the birds.
Better bird health means less time picking
up bodies or culling sick or lame ones. As
one stockman states: “[there is a] lot less
input needed for these”.
4. The environment inside the shed with
natural light and lower levels of ammonia
provides a more pleasant environment for
people as well as animals.
5. Keeping birds healthy through the
use of robust breeds in environments
which keep stress levels lower has
potential benefits for human health.
Producers say they “very rarely have
to give antibiotics”, suggesting that
keeping more of these kinds of
breeds in these kinds of system could
contribute to strategies for reducing
antibiotic resistance. That way essential
medications will be better able to
continue to work to protect the health of
both humans and animals.
Bale of Miscanthus grass provides a perch
and also encourages scratching and
foraging behaviours.
8
6. RSPCA welfare standards include
stipulations about catching and
maximum transport time.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
TABLES
BROILER – DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM
Date/Time of visit
29th November 2011
11.30am
Farm
Langaller Farm
Farm Type
Higher welfare indoor
Certification scheme
RSPCA Freedom Food
Total number of birds on farm
39,750
Number of birds per shed
13,000
Breed
Mostly JA757
Age of flock on visit
33 days
Feed type/amount/delivery/energy/
protein
Ad libitum, pan feeder, pellets’ nipple drinkers, pan
feeders
FCR (average for this group of RSPCA
Freedom Food indoor systems in this area)
1.96
Maximum stocking density
30kg/m2
(around 17-18 birds/m2 till 42 days, then reduced by
20% to around 14 birds/m2 at thinning)
Age and weight at thinning (average GR)
42d at 1.7kg (40.5g/d)
Non-segregated around 20% flock removed at
thinning
Age and weight at slaughter (average
GR)
49d at 2.1-2.2kg (42.9-44.9 g/d)
Mortality and cull rates
Average 2.5% (recorded daily)
Hock burn rates at PMI will need to ask
for average information (same for FPD)
None observed. Figures of less than 4% have been
documented for this scheme10.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
9
10
Foot pad dermatitis rates
None observed. Figures of less than 4% have been
documented for this scheme5.
Other health/welfare problems
E.g. Leg problems, Ascites.
None observed. Flock exhibited good walking ability.
Natural behaviours observed
Perching on bales and perches
Pecking at straw bales
Walking / running / preening / agonistic interaction /
meal worm-paper test (+)
Level of activity
Good
Move away up to 10m or so as approach
Antibiotic use, risk assessment systems
None used at present
Welfare problems
E.g. Aggression, feather pecking
Can get back scratching and wing damage due to
flighty nature
Light and dark provision
Natural plus artificial
Double glazed windows along length of house.
Windowed space to be at least to 3% of floor area.
1h dark at day old rising by around 1 hour per day
to 6h dark by 6 days. Reduced to 2 hrs two days
before thinning then re-instated. Reduced to 2 hrs
dark two days before depopulation.
Shutters closed 1 week and depopulation to calm
birds; 20 lux maintained.
Ventilation
Fan assisted
Litter
Miscanthus bedding – created by hammer chopper
method
Good condition
Indoor environmental enrichment
Sloping perches, bales (1.5/1000), toys (footballs)
Number of stockpersons
1 full-time (including maintenance and
administration)
Frequency of checking birds and any
rules about thoroughness
Scheme requires a minimum of three checks per
day. At least one of these checks must be sufficiently
thorough to identify any bird showing signs of poor
health or injury. Lower stocking densities facilitate this.
Transport to slaughter
17 miles. Double leg catching required. Scheme also
permits a maximum 4-hour journey time.
% Dead on arrivals
No figures, but low figures of 0.05% have been
reported for the scheme11.
Market
Whole bird and for portions
Cost/price
Sainsburys charge £3.57 per kilo for Freedom Food
indoor birds – Godalming 23.02.12
(25% more than Standard and 50% more than Basic).
Checking prices a year later, the costs were £3.93
per kilo for Freedom Food indoor, 18% higher than
Standard at £3.33 per kilo and 57% higher than Basic
at £2.50 per kilo.
Slaughter
Gas stunning
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
REFERENCES
1 RSPCA, 2011. RSPCA welfare standards for chickens, downloaded 23.02.2012 from http://content.www.rspca.
org.uk/cmsprd/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobnocache=false&bl
obtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1232999422222&ssbinary=true.
2 The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 accessed 23/05/12 at http://www.
legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/3033/schedule/made covers this measure for England. There is similar legislation
in Scotland and Wales, though Northern Ireland permits 42kg/m2 in line with the EU directive. The EU Directive
generally permits 33kg/m2, with a derogation to allow up to 39kg/m2,if certain conditions including ventilation
provision are provided for and another derogation up to 42kg/m2, if additional measures including specified
mortality targets are met.
3 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2007/43/EC of 28 June 2007 laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens
kept for meat production accessed 23/05/12 at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007
:182:0019:0028:EN:PDF
4 RSPCA, 2011, Op Cit.
5 RSPCA, 2006. Everyone’s a winner. Downloaded 23.02.2012 from http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/Locat
eAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232712783750&mode=prd.
6 Meat TradesNews Daily 29 February 2012 accessed 25/05/12 at http://www.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk/
news/290212/uk___freedom_food_.aspx.
7 RSPCA, 2006 Op Cit.
8 Compassion in World Farming, 2012. Nutritional Benefits of Higher Welfare Products. http://www.ciwf.org.uk/
nutrition
9 http://www.assurewel.org/
10 RSPCA, 2006, Op Cit.
11 RSPCA, 2006, Op Cit.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
11
BROILER CHICKEN CASE STUDY
UK 1: RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD
INDOOR FARM
An account of a higher welfare indoor system with slower-growing
birds, reduced stocking density and environmental enrichment,
including natural light.
Compassion in World Farming
River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EZ, UK.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 521 950
Web: ciwf.org/gap
Registered Charity No 1095050.
Acknowledgements
Animal Compassion Foundation
Langaller Farm
All photos are Compassion in World Farming
copyright unless stated otherwise.
March 2013.
2
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
BROILER CHICKEN CASE STUDY
UK 2: RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD
FREE-RANGE FARM
An account of a higher welfare system with slower-growing birds,
access to range, reduced stocking density and environmental
enrichment indoors, including natural light.
2
RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD FREE-RANGE SYSTEM,
HELLINGHAYES FARM, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM
Gravel near popholes helps keep range by the house dry. (NB: Some popholes temporarily
closed to prevent windy conditions from chilling the chickens.)
This Freedom Food system with outdoor access is
designed to produce higher welfare chicken at a
reasonable price for a quality market. It is certified
by RSPCA Freedom Food, an inspection and
certification system designed to improve the welfare
of farm animals. Freedom Food is owned by the
RSPCA, who sets the standards used by the scheme.
There are separate standards for indoor, free-range
and organic systems. To be sold as free-range, the
system has to meet EU marketing standards1.
2
•
Reduced growth rates due to minimum
slaughter age requirement can result in better
welfare provided slower-growing breeds are
used;
•
A reduced risk of lameness due to slower
growth rates and increased exercise.
RSPCA welfare standards2 incorporate European
rules and add additional welfare requirements of
their own including:
European marketing standards require that freerange chickens have access to open-air runs and
that they are not slaughtered until they are at least
56 days old.
•
Use of slower growing breeds which are
more active, have lower levels of lameness
and whose parents are less likely to require
feed restriction;
Welfare advantages of free-range systems include:
•
Additional environmental enrichment in
indoor accommodation including minimum
levels of natural light, bales of straw, perches
and pecking objects;
•
The provision of shade and shelter on range;
•
Minimum sizes and number of popholes,
where chickens can enter or leave the shed.
•
Additional opportunities to display natural
behaviours such as exercising, foraging, dustbathing and sunbathing;
•
Reduced stocking densities in indoor
accommodation, especially when some of the
chickens are ranging outside;
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Range
EU marketing rules require that free-range
chickens have access to open-air runs for at least
half of their lives. There must be at least one
square metre of range per bird and it must be
mainly covered by vegetation.
Access to these runs allows birds to perform a
range of natural behaviours including scratching
for different foods, dust-bathing, sunbathing
and exploring their environment. Access to range
also encourages exercise and reduces the level of
crowding for birds who choose to stay inside.
Ranging is encouraged by the provision of tree
cover or herb strips which makes the birds feel
more secure, especially if threatened by aerial
predators, real or apparent, such as birds of prey
and aeroplanes. Chickens are descended from the
jungle fowl of Asia, birds which naturally live in
woodland with access to cover. Cover also provides
shade from the sun and shelter from wind.
We visited Hellinghayes Farm during the early
afternoon when it is common for free-range birds
to be resting inside. However, we were told that
when the popholes are opened in the morning
“they stream out”. It is normal for free-range
chickens to be most active at the beginning and
towards the end of daylight hours. Birds normally
head inside when it rains. It was raining when
we first arrived, but several birds were heading
outside after it cleared (see image below).
Breed
EU marketing rules require that birds sold as freerange cannot be slaughtered before the age of 56
days, which should encourage the use of slowergrowing breeds. RSPCA welfare standards only
permit slower-growing breeds who don’t have
the potential to grow faster than 45g per day on
average. These rules reduce the risk of lameness
and of cardiovascular conditions, such as ascites
and Sudden Death Syndrome. This requirement
also reduces the level of feed restriction required
to keep broiler breeders healthy. The female
parents of the birds kept on this farm, the JA57s,
require little, if any, feed restriction (see Broiler
Case Study UK1).
Active breeds such as these are better able to
take advantage of free-range conditions. The
exercise obtained is in turn good for leg health
and mental wellbeing.
Tree cover encourages ranging.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
3
Stocking density
Free-range systems give birds more space inside as they have lower stocking densities.
Space inside increases further when more birds decide to go outside.
Free-range chickens have more space inside as
well as being able to range outside. In addition
to the requirement for 1m2 per bird in the
outdoor run, EU marketing rules also require
lower stocking densities indoors. The maximum
stocking density indoors is set at a flat rate of
27.5kg/m2. In practice, there is additional space
per bird indoors whenever some of the birds are
ranging outside.
4
Having extra space means birds are less likely
to suffer from high temperatures, humidity
and ammonia pollution which can result from
overcrowding. It also makes it easier for them to
move around without jostling each other. It is also
easier for them to reach the popholes when they
want to range outside.
Once again, all this better exercise means better
leg health, better walking ability and less pain
due to lameness.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Environmental enrichment indoors
RSPCA Freedom Food-approved free-range
systems have more space inside, have
natural light and other indoor enrichments.
Perching is a natural behaviour.
Straw bales provide opportunities for
scratching and searching for food.
Pecking objects provide additional
stimulation.
The key environmental enrichment is access
to outdoor range with tree cover, but RSPCA
welfare standards also require that the indoor
environment is enriched.
environment for both chickens and [people]”.
Bright sunlight could be a problem, but adding
blinds helped diffuse the light: “The chickens like
to sit in the sun”.
Inside, the birds have access to natural light, straw
or miscanthus bales, perches and pecking objects.
All of these encourage exercise. The combination
of higher light levels indoors with shade outside
may also encourage outdoor ranging (sudden
changes in light can discourage it).
No thinning
Providing natural light inside provides a better
environment for people as well as for the
chickens. Light promotes activity, though too
much uneven light can cause problems – sunspots
can lead to overcrowding.
The farmer felt that this was a “good system that
works well, windows added give nicer
Thinning is a process by which part of a flock is
caught at a lower weight (e.g. 1.7kg) while the
rest are allowed to grow to around 2.2kg.
RPSCA welfare standards do not permit thinning
of free-range flocks. Avoiding thinning removes
one source of stress for the birds. It also reduces
the number of birds placed in the shed at the
start, reducing the stocking densities throughout
the growing period. Avoiding thinning also
reduces the risk of Campylobacter in the
remaining flock.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
5
Welfare outcomes
One of the main reasons why consumers choose
a free-range bird is out of concern for animal
welfare. Free-range systems have a higher
potential for welfare than indoor systems, but
whether this is achieved in practice depends on
good management. To be sure that welfare is
good, it needs to be measured.
In future, a wider range of welfare indicators will
be measured as part of the AssureWel project4, a
collaborative project between the RSPCA, the Soil
Association and the University of Bristol.
The RSPCA welfare standards require farmers to
monitor a range of welfare outcome measures
and set targets for them3. These include
lameness, back scratches and lesions such as hock
burns, footpad burns (FPD) and breast blisters, all
of which should be minimised. Hock burns and
FPD are recorded at the slaughterhouse.
Research suggests that meat from slowergrowing breeds of chicken and from birds with
access to pasture generally contain lower levels
of fat. In addition the fat composition itself can
be healthier with higher levels of long-chain
omega-3 fatty-acids5.
The farm showed good welfare outcomes. At 55
days old, the chickens were highly active, showed
low signs of lameness or gait abnormality and
FPD, and we didn’t observe any lesions. Mortality
levels averaged 3-3.5%. Most of the birds
showed good walking ability.
At the time of visiting, the farm was not using
antibiotics and the birds appeared to be in
good health. This is consistent with other
anecdotal evidence that this system requires little
antimicrobial use, a powerful positive welfare
indicator.
Good welfare outcomes are likely to be a result of
a combination of breed, lower stocking density,
environmental enrichment and access to an
outdoor range, together with good management
and ventilation.
Exercise is good for all animals and these birds
are active. This is partly because slower growth
can facilitate well-balanced development and also
because it leaves more energy for exercise. It is
partly because they have a lower centre of gravity,
due to a smaller proportion of breast meat,
which facilitates movement. Lower stocking
density, high levels of light and other enrichments
including access to range further encourage
exercise.
Active birds also spend less time in contact
with the litter, reducing the risk of hock and
FPD. Perching also reduces contact. Anecdotal
evidence from a previous visit to a different farm
also suggested that litter management is easier
with these breeds. This may be due to slower,
more efficient digestion or lower stocking density
inside. Skin health itself may vary between
breeds. Together these may explain the relatively
low levels of hock and FPD in this system.
6
Nutritional benefits of free-range
production
SUMMARY
This system has benefits for chickens, consumers
and producers:
1. For consumers, it provides a higher
welfare bird kept in an outdoor
environment at a reasonable cost.
2. For the chickens it means a slightly
longer life in a higher welfare system
with a healthier breed, access to the
outdoors and more space and enrichment
indoors.
3. The added value in the product helps to
support the rural economy. Stockpeople
benefit since less intensive systems can
be easier to manage and higher welfare
systems can be a more rewarding
experience to run. According to the farmer,
“this is a good system which works well”.
4. Keeping slower growing birds with
access to the outdoors can produce a
bird with less but better fat, likely to be
healthier to eat. Low levels of antibiotic
use have wider benefits in helping to
reduce the development of antibiotic
resistance.
5. RSPCA welfare standards include
stipulations about catching and
maximum transport time.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
TABLES
BROILER – DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM
Date/Time of visit
29th November 2011
2pm
Farm
Hellinghayes Farm
Farm type
Free range
Certification scheme
RSPCA Freedom Food
Total flock size (number on farm)
23,000
Number placed (house size)
5,720
Breed
JA757
Age of flock on visit
55 days
Feed
Pan feeders with mash
Nipple drinkers
FCR (average for this group of RSPCA Freedom
Food free-range systems in this area)
2.283
Maximum stocking density
27.5kg/m2
(~12.5 birds/m2)
Age and weight at thinning (average GR)
No thinning permitted
Age and weight at slaughter (average GR)
56 days at up to 2.14kg (38.2g/d)
Mortality and cull rates
2.36% (to date lost 102 from flock) (1st week
mostly) (predator 0.5%)
Average 3-3.5% mortality
Hock burn rates
None observed
Footpad dermatitis rates
Mild observed
Other health/ welfare problems
E.g. Leg problems, Ascites
None observed
Flock clean despite poor weather
Natural behaviours observed
Perching on bales and perches
Pecking at straw bales
Walking / running / preening / agonistic interaction
In / out of popholes when rain eased
Drinking from puddles
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
7
8
Level of activity
Good
Some ranging but poor weather conditions
Antibiotic use
None used at present
Lighting
Natural plus artificial
Double-glazed windows along length of house
Ventilation
Natural, automatic ventilation control (side vents
along length of house above windows)
Litter
Wood shavings in good condition
Indoor environmental enrichment
Bales and perches
Outdoor enrichment
Trees (apple trees), nettle patch, banks
Levels of ranging and distribution of
ranging
Poor but bad weather. Farmer assured us on good
day they range well, on the banks and under the
apple trees.
Number of stockpersons
1 full time
Frequency of checking birds and any
rules about thoroughness
Standards require a minimum of three checks per
day. At least one of these checks must be sufficiently
thorough to identify any bird showing signs of poor
health or injury. Lower stocking densities facilitate this.
Transport to slaughter (distance)
About 15 miles
Market
Whole bird and also portions
Cost/price
(per bird and per kilo)
Sainsbury’s charge £4 per kilo for free-range RSPCA
Freedom Food chicken - Godalming 23.02.12 (35%
more than Standard and 67% more than Basics).
Checking a year later (06.03.2013), the cost was
£3.58 per kilo for Freedom Food free-range. This
was 43% higher than Basics at £2.50 per kilo and
7.5% higher than Standard at £3.33 per kilo.
Slaughter
Electrical stunning. Planning to move to biphasic gas
stunning.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
REFERENCES
1 COMMISSION REGULATION (EEC) No 1538/91 of 5 June 1991 introducing detailed rules for implementing
Regulation (EEC) No 1906/90 on certain marketing standards for poultrymeat accessed 13/7/12 at http://eur-lex.
europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1991R1538:20060323:EN:PDF.
2 RSPCA, 2011 entry from RSPCA indoor booklet.
3 RSPCA, 2011, Op Cit.
4 http://www.assurewel.org/
5 Compassion in World Farming, 2012. Nutritional Benefits of Higher Welfare Products. http://www.ciwf.org.uk/
nutrition
Tree cover provides shelter and security.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
9
BROILER CHICKEN CASE STUDY
UK 2: RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD
FREE-RANGE FARM
An account of a higher welfare system with slower-growing birds,
access to range, reduced stocking density and environmental
enrichment indoors, including natural light.
Compassion in World Farming
River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EZ, UK.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 521 950
Web: ciwf.org/gap
Registered Charity No 1095050.
Acknowledgements
Animal Compassion Foundation
Hellinghayes Farm
All photos are Compassion in World Farming
copyright unless stated otherwise.
March 2013.
2
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
BROILER CHICKEN CASE STUDY
UK 3: SOIL ASSOCIATION
CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARM
An account of a higher-welfare, organic system with slower-growing
birds, access to range with reduced stocking density both indoors
and outdoors.
2
SOIL ASSOCIATION-CERTIFIED, ORGANIC SYSTEM,
HENBERE FARM, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM
This is a system with outdoor access designed to
produce higher welfare chicken at a reasonable price
for a niche market. To be sold as organic, the system
has to meet EU organic standards1. Henbere Farm
is certified by the Soil Association, a UK inspection
and certification scheme which includes additional
sustainability and welfare requirements beyond EU
organic rules including welfare outcomes assessment
and longer access to a larger range.
Welfare aspects of this organic system include:
•
Use of a slower-growing breed with lower risk
of welfare problems such as lameness and
reduced need to feed restrict parent birdsi;
•
Access to range for the last two-thirds of
their 70-day lives;
•
Small group sizes and moderate stocking
densities;
•
Rotational system with mobile housing which
reduces risk of disease build-up.
Range
Ranging is good for welfare. Access to a varied
outdoor environment allows birds to perform a
range of natural behaviours including scratching
for a variety of foods, exploring, dust-bathing
and sunbathing. It also encourages exercise and
gives birds more space in the house as fewer will
be inside at any one time. Good ranging can also
help to reduce the risk of feather pecking which
can be a problem in such systems.
Shelter from wind.
Soil Association rules require all table poultry to
be kept free-range with access to pasture for at
least two-thirds of their lives2. In Europe, this is
on top of the EU rule which requires poultry to
have access to an open area, mainly covered by
vegetation, for one-third of their life3.
This system keeps chickens in relatively small groups
of 600 birds. Keeping chickens in smaller groups
is one way to help encourage ranging, because in
small huts the birds are always close to a pophole
they can get out more easily. Because the huts
are mobile, they can be moved to new ground
after each batch of chickens, so there will be fresh
vegetation for them to forage. A downside of
rotation is that it is harder to provide good cover
from trees and bushes when hens are ranging on
fields that will later be used for arable crops.
Good ranging is also encouraged by the choice
of a breed which is active and suffers less from
lameness and cardiovascular problems.
Rotation ensures that grass is always available fairly close to the sheds. This, together with
small group housing and the provision of an outside shelter, all helps to encourage ranging.
i Parent birds of meat chickens are called broiler breeders.
2
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Breed
Choice of breed is key to good welfare. Slowergrowing birds are less prone to suffer from
lameness, heart problems and fatigue. Parent
birds of slower growing breeds are also less prone
to suffer from hunger, since less feed restriction
is needed to maintain health and production
of fertile eggs. Fast- or medium-growing birds
are less suitable for organic systems, as they
have been bred to rely on a high-protein diet
that includes synthetic amino acids to sustain
their rapid weight gain. These breeds may show
an increased risk of problems such as feather
pecking and cannibalism when fed a more
natural, organic diet.
EU organic regulations discourage the use of
fast-growing breeds by insisting that such birds
are reared for a minimum of 81 days before
slaughter. Where the farm buys in day-old chicks
from a non-organic source, the minimum is 70
days to allow a conversion period to organic,
provided that slower-growing breeds are used.
Whilst slower-growing birds from an organic
source can be killed at any age, in practice,
organic birds are nearly always raised for at least
70 days since slower growing birds are normally
used. “Slow-growing” in this context is defined
by Defra as a bird which doesn’t grow more than
45g per day under organic management4, though
the Soil Association’s rules are stricter.
The farm uses a cross between a JA57 female
and a Colouryield male which produces a slower
growing breed, that is commonly used in UK
organic systems. This hybrid has a slightly lower
growth potential than the JA757 crosses used in
the free-range and higher welfare indoor systems
(see separate case studies). The cross is highly active
and is less likely to suffer from lameness than a fastgrowing bird. The female parents (female broiler
breeders) do not need to be feed restricted.
The Soil Association has additional rules for
breeding flocks insisting that they are kept freerange, are not feed restricted and that they
produce hardy offspring of slow-growing types.
The Soil Association defines slow-growing as
meaning that a bird must not grow more than
35g per day on average according to published
breed data, and never more than 60g in a day5.
However, most organic farms, including this one,
have a derogation to use birds of non-organic
origin since there is very little supply of organic
birds available. This is permitted under EU organic
rules provided that the birds spend a minimum of
70 days growing on the organic farm.
Organic broiler breeders from a separate farm.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
3
Stocking density and group size
Stocking density inside the mobile housing is kept lower by good ranging.
the previous one, it allows vegetation to recover
and reduces the risk of diseases building up.
In this system the birds are kept in groups of 600
at a maximum stocking density of 27.5kg/m2
which ensures that the system meets EU, freerange standards as well as organic. This means
that, if the birds cannot readily be sold as organic,
they can also be sold as free-range.
Food is provided in the shed.
Chickens need space to perform natural behaviours
and organic rules generally restrict stocking densities
in the house both to 10 birds and to 21kg per square
metre. This means that organic birds generally have
more space indoors than those kept in other systems.
However, where birds are kept in smaller groups
in mobile housing, such as on this farm, higher
indoor stocking densities of up to 16 birds and
30kg per square metre are permitted. This is
because small huts offer easier outdoor access
for the birds and can be rotated around the farm
to provide each flock with fresh pasture. If each
flock is reared on a different piece of ground than
4
Organic birds get more outdoor space than those
in other systems, and Soil Association rules require
that the pasture size provides at least 10 square
metres per bird. EU organic rules stipulate at least
4 square metres per bird (or 2.5 square metres in
small groups with mobile huts), while free-range
birds are allocated 2 square metres each.
Disease control with minimum use of
antibiotics
In the UK, more than one third of antibiotics used
on farm animals are used in poultry6. Organic
standards are designed to maintain health with
minimal use of antibiotics and none had been
required by the current flock.
The key to improving health without the use of
antibiotics is to use slower-growing breeds with
natural disease resistance. Avoiding stressors
such as high stocking densities also helps. As
previously mentioned, rotation helps to reduce
disease build-up in free-range systems.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
No thinning
Economic outlook
Thinning is a process by which part of a flock is
caught at a lower weight (eg 1.7kg) while the
rest of the birds are allowed to grow to around
2.2kg.
The poor economic situation has resulted in a
reduced demand for organic chicken, to the
extent that the farm is reducing the number
of flocks reared each year by around a third.
Nevertheless, organic production still has a 2%
share of the market9 and it seems likely that in
the long run this proportion will rise again as
organic meat is valued for its quality, welfare,
health and environmental benefits.
Organic birds are not usually subject to thinning.
This is partly because of the small numbers
involved, as many may not be slaughtered before
70 days and also because the organic rules say
that they have to be caught at night when they
are inside the shed for welfare reasons.
Avoiding thinning removes one source of stress
for the birds. It also reduces the number of
birds placed in the shed at the start, so stocking
densities are lower from the start.
SUMMARY
Welfare outcomes
1. For consumers, it provides a higherwelfare bird produced in a system
designed to be better for the
environment.
Organic standards are designed so that the
system has a high welfare potential. This is
the purpose of rules requiring access to range,
slower-growing breeds and moderate stocking
densities.
However, welfare also depends on good
management. To help to ensure that good
welfare rules result in chickens with good welfare,
the Soil Association has teamed up with RSPCA
Freedom Food to measure welfare outcomes
under the AssureWel scheme7.
The scheme requires farmers to monitor a range
of welfare outcome measures and set targets for
them. These include lameness, back scratches
and lesions such as hock burns, footpad burns
and breast blisters. Hock and footpad burns are
recorded at the slaughterhouse.
Environmental aspects
Fitting chickens into the general rotation of the
farm ensures that nutrients from chicken dung
will be used to help crops to grow in future years
rather than presenting a waste problem for the
farmer.
This system has benefits for chickens, the
environment, consumers and producers:
2. For the birds it means a longer life in a
higher-welfare system with a healthier
breed kept in smaller groups with access
to the outdoors.
3. Organic systems can benefit the
environment through the use of natural
rotations and minimising or avoiding the
use of chemicals such as pesticides and
artificial fertilisers.
4. The considerable, added value in the
product helps to support the rural
economy, encouraging mixed organic
farming systems.
5. Keeping slower-growing birds with
access to the outdoors can produce
a healthier bird with less but better
fat, likely to be healthier to eat. Rules
preventing routine antibiotic use have
wider benefits in helping to reduce the
development of antibiotic resistance.
Nutritional advantages
Research suggests that meat from slower-growing
breeds of chicken and from birds from free-range
and organic systems generally contain lower
levels of fat. In addition the fat composition itself
can be healthier in organic birds with higher
levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty-acids8.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
5
TABLES
BROILER – DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM
Date/Time of visit
29th November 2011
3.30pm
6
Farm
Henbere Farm
Farm type
Organic
Certification scheme
Soil Association
Total flock size
5,000
Number placed (house size)
600 per mobile ark
Breed
JA57 x Colouryield male
Age of flock on visit
63 days
Feed
Pan feeders with pellets
Bell drinkers
FCR (average for all farms in this group of
organic farms in this area)
2.72
Maximum stocking density
27.5kg/m2 inside
Age and weight at thinning
No thinning
Age and weight at slaughter (average GR)
70 days at 2.3kg (32.9g/d)
Mortality and cull rates
Average 5% (NB It should be noted that this
is over a longer life-span than in most other
systems)
Natural behaviours observed
High ranging post visit
Level of activity
High activity, inquisitive
Antibiotic use, risk assessment systems
None with this flock
Other health problems
Mareks disease
Welfare problems
Footpad dermatitis (FPD) biggest problem
Lighting
Natural light
Ventilation
Natural – side inlet, roof outlet
Litter
Long and chopped straw base plus
woodshavings
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Indoor environmental enrichment
None (but small group size encourages outside ranging)
Outdoor enrichment
Open pasture range (mobile housing)
Sloping fields help drain land
Land in good condition – no tracks from vehicles, etc.
Levels of ranging and distribution of
ranging
At the time of the visit, the weather was poor for
ranging. Once we left, the sun came out and large
groups ranged outside!
Biosecurity measures
Disinfected boots and overalls
Number of stockpersons
1
Frequency of checking birds and any
rules about thoroughness
Soil Association rules require that birds are checked
at least 3 times a day
Transport to slaughter
(distance + time)
5 miles
% Dead on arrivals
Usually none
Slaughter
Electric stunning. It is planned to change to biphasic
gas stunning.
General notes
Now only restocking after 11 weeks rather than 4
weeks due to market downturn. (The group has
reduced from 80,000 organic chickens per week
to 20,000). A year after the visit, the market had
recovered slightly to allow restocking after 8 weeks
following an increase to 30,000 chickens per week.
Raises brooders on site.
Farmer’s view: ‘Good chick, good bird’.
REFERENCES
1 European Commission,2007. COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 889/2008 of 5 September 2008 laying down
detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and
labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control http://eur-lex.europa.
eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:250:0001:0084:EN:PDF accessed 21/05/12.
2 Defra, 2010. Guidance document on European Union organic standards http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/
growing/organic/standards/pdf/guidance-document-jan2010.pdfaccessed 18/03/2013
3 Soil Association organic standards - farming and growing (Revision 16.6 April 2012) http://www.
soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=l-LqUg6iIlo%3d&tabid=353 accessed 21/05/12
4 European Commission, 2007, op cit.
5 Soil Association organic standards op cit.
6 At least 34% of total in 2009, excluding antibiotics used for multi-species categories, calculated from VMD, 2010,
“Sales of antimicrobial products authorised for use as veterinary medicines, antiprotozoals, antifungals and
coccidiostats, in the UK in 2009” downloaded at http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/pdf/salesanti09.pdf 02/08/2012.
7
http://www.assurewel.org/
8 Compassion in World Farming, 2012. Nutritional Benefits of Higher Welfare Products. http://www.ciwf.org.uk/
nutrition
9 Jackie Linden, 2012, citing figures from the British Poultry Council in “One in Four UK Broilers from
Alternative Systems” at http://www.themeatsite.com/meatnews/17194/one-in-four-uk-broilers-fromalternative-systems accessed 23/05/12
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
7
BROILER CHICKEN CASE STUDY
UK 3: SOIL ASSOCIATION
CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARM
An account of a higher-welfare, organic system with slower-growing
birds, access to range with reduced stocking density both indoors
and outdoors.
Compassion in World Farming
River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EZ, UK.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 521 950
Web: ciwf.org/gap
Registered Charity No 1095050.
Acknowledgements
Animal Compassion Foundation
Henbere Farm
All photos are Compassion in World Farming
copyright unless stated otherwise.
March 2013.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
EGG & CHICKEN CASE STUDY
BEIJING YOU CHICKEN
Sustainable and organic egg and chicken meat production using a traditional, dual-purpose breed.
2
BEIJING YOU CHICKEN PRODUCTION SYSTEM,
BAINIANLIYUAN ECO-AGRICULTURE CO LTD,
BEIJING, CHINA
INTRODUCTION
The Bainianliyuan Eco-agriculture Co. Ltd supplies
organic eggs and meat chickens to Beijing
supermarkets. These are produced from Beijing
You Chicken, also called “oil” chicken, a traditional
dual-purpose breed that nearly became extinct in
the 1970s. The brand is the second largest of the
20 large companies which sell eggs in the main
Beijing supermarkets, representing up to 40% of
supermarket sales1.
The company keeps parent flocks from which
they breed the chickens. Both male and female
progeny are raised for meat and some females
are reared for egg laying. Most of these birds are
kept by a co-operative of 320 independent farmers
under contract to the company which provides
the birds and the feed to the farmers and markets
the chickens and eggs. Between them, these
farmers rear three million birds each year, including
800,000 laying hens. The parent company also
owns a farm which keeps over 100,000 laying
hens and 6,000 meat chickens. It was visited twice
between 2009-2012 during this study.
110,000 hens on one hillside.
1
2
However, most egg sales are not in supermarkets.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Humane sustainable aspects of this farming
system are diverse:
•
Organic production of maize for chicken
feed, grown without fertiliser, pesticides or
tillage to prevent nutrient leaching into the
reservoirs adjacent to the fields that provide
part of Beijing’s water supply;
•
Anaerobic digestion of manure produced
on the company’s farm to provide gas for
heating and cooking for farm workers plus
1,000 local homes, whilst reducing risks of
disease and environmental pollution;
•
Higher profit margins per bird and per egg,
both for the farmers and the company for a
high-value product;
•
Higher welfare potential in a system which
keeps chickens and hens free-range using
a traditional breed whose slow growth and
moderate egg production puts the birds
under less physiological pressure;
•
Use of a dual-purpose breed means that
males of a laying breed are not killed at birth,
therefore avoiding waste of both life and
resources.
“Earth” chickens – birds which are kept free-range
and/or which taste “like they used to”.
The hens lay moderate numbers of eggs (around
170 per year), just over half that of modern hybrids,
which are also sold at a premium. The eggs and the
chickens are marketed with three benefits:
•
Taste and quality
•
Health
•
Social and environmental.
Quality, organic, environmental and health
arguments are used to help promote the eggs.
The information on the label states that the
product is organic, that it is produced from
chickens who live free-range on the hills without
antibiotics, hormones or genetic modification.
Additional information also states that the birds
are raised in a healthy place, in the mountains
where Beijing’s clean water comes from; and
that healthy birds produce healthy eggs whereas
caged birds are in an unhealthy condition.
The Beijing You Chicken
Also called the Beijing Oil chicken due to the
appearance of its feathers, the You Chicken is a
traditional Chinese breed from the area around
Beijing which nearly became extinct in the 1970s.
It is now one of 50 rare breeds identified for
special protection by the Chinese authorities and a
breeding nucleus is maintained by the Oil Chicken
Institute at the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and
Forestry Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Research
Institute, which also promotes the breed. Breeding
nuclei are also maintained at other Chinese
agricultural institutions.
The You Chicken is a dual-purpose breed. The
males are slow growing and take 120 days to
reach a weight of 1.5kg (some are also slaughtered
at 0.5kg and 1kg at 60 and 90 days respectively).
Whilst slower growth and longer life span reduce
Food Conversion Efficiency (i.e. they are less
efficient and consume more feed), there is a
considerable Chinese demand for this meat which
is considered more flavoursome. For example,
there is a very substantial market in China for
slow growing, traditional “yellow chickens”,
often kept free-range by small-scale farmers in the
south of the country. Chinese consumers will pay
a premium for what is locally known as “Tu” or
2
Organic maize stalks drying in the sun.
Sustainable feed production
The company farm grows maize, grass and
alfalfa, and buys in soya from elsewhere in China
to be incorporated into its organic feed. This
feed is used both on the company and the cooperative farms.
The maize is grown in fields adjacent to a large
reservoir that supplies part of Beijing’s water
supply. To prevent nutrients and other damaging
chemicals from polluting the water, the Beijing
authorities have passed a law that includes “7
nos” including no fertiliser, no pesticide and no
mechanical tilling2. Growing organic feed on this
land helps to maintain water quality.
It also includes no construction, no dwelling, no grazing and no tree planting.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
3
Nutrient cycling and energy generation
Anaerobic digesters.
Loading manure for the digester.
Socio-economic aspects
It is vital to ensure that manure from the chickens
does not spread disease or pollute the environment.
All the chicken droppings from the company farm
are taken by tractor to the anaerobic digestion plant
on site. The fermentation process kills viruses and
bacteria as well as producing a more manageable
digestate and renewable energy. Surplus grass and
maize stalks are also added into the digester to
increase the energy available for gas production.
Some of the digestate produced is used to fertilise
the fields which grow the grass and alfalfa that are
incorporated into the chicken feed, but it cannot be
used on the maize fields since the ban on fertiliser
use extends to organic fertiliser also. Most of the
digestate is used off-site by local farmers to grow
fruit and vegetables, including the farm workers on
their vegetable plots. The company plans to develop
a buying market for its organic fertiliser.
The methane gas generated by the digester is used
for heating and cooking on-site by the farm workers
and a surplus is sold to 1,000 local families off-site.
This provides all their gas needs in summer and
contributes to their requirements in winter. This
potentially off-sets greenhouse gas emissions from
other energy sources and produces low-cost energy.
Power for the street lamps around the company
farm are provided by solar panels, although coal is
used to provide energy for the rest of the farm.
3
4
Marketing of eggs.
The company buys in parent breeding stock
and supplies chicks to the co-operative farmers
who are on what is locally referred to as a “cooperative contract”. The co-operative farmers pay
3.5RMB3 per chick, whether male or female, and
they also buy feed from the company. In the case
of cockerels, these are sold back to the company
for about 20RMB depending on size. Eggs are
also sold back to the company.
RMB – Chinese currency Renminbi. At the end of 2012, there were approximately 6RMB to the US dollar, 8 to the
Euro and 10 to the British pound. 3.5RMB is therefore about 21 US cents, 28 Euro cents and 35 British pence.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Quality markets help to support rural
employment. The company farm employs 30
people, including 5 technicians, 24 stockpeople
and 1 manager.
Range with tree and bush cover
We are told the co-operative farmers can make a
profit of 2-3RMB per bird compared with around
1RMB profit for an intensively farmed bird. The
company can make an additional profit of 20RMB
per chicken. The You Chicken eggs are also sold
for nearly twice the price of standard battery eggs.
Welfare aspects
You Chicken meat and eggs are sold principally on
quality and taste, as well as for social and health
benefits. Whilst there are clear welfare benefits to
the system, this is not at present a key selling point.
This may change. The Chinese yellow chicken, often
kept free-range by small traditional Chinese farmers,
is popular on grounds of quality and taste, but we
have seen it on sale in Beijing supermarkets with
packaging that extolls the benefits of free-range
production. Welfare may become a selling point for
Chinese consumers in future.
Trees are grown to provide cover
for hens on range.
There are several key welfare features on the
company farm and co-operative farms:
•
Hens and cockerels are kept free-range in
paddocks, well covered with trees and small
bushes;
•
The hens produce only moderate numbers of
eggs, helping them to sustain health through a
longer egg-laying period;
•
Hens have nest boxes to allow important natural
behaviours;
•
The slow-growing cockerels are much less likely
to suffer from lameness, heart problems and
fatigue, all of which are common in intensive
broilers;
•
Broiler breeders are likely to require little, if any,
feed restriction;
•
Being a dual-purpose breed, the cockerels also
benefit from not being killed at birth, which is
the normal fate of males from egg-laying breeds;
•
A few cockerels are kept with the laying hen
flocks. This provides a more natural social
grouping which can be helpful for controlling
aggression and feather pecking amongst the
hens;
•
Forced moulting is not practised, although some
hens are kept beyond the first laying season.
Pullets on range.
The hens are kept in groups of 2,400-2,500 in
sheds 40 x 7 metres in dimension and the cockerels
in groups of 3-4,000. This equates to around 9 hens
or 11-14 cockerels per square metre. The sheds
have a series of pop-holes leading to a large, open
range area, significant parts of which are covered
with trees and small bushes.
Providing vegetation cover helps the birds to
feel secure when ranging outside, since birds are
naturally wary of aerial predators. Keeping the
hens in relatively small groups in fairly narrow
sheds is also good for ranging, possibly because
individual birds will not have so many others to get
past if they want to go outside. Ranging is good
for birds since it keeps them occupied and reduces
the risk of feather pecking and cannibalism.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
5
The range also provides opportunities for dustbathing and foraging. Many birds were observed
dust-bathing, which is both a social activity and
an opportunity for hens to remove grease from
their feathers and discourage parasites. Foraging
behaviour was also observed, although the loss of
ground cover limited the amount of forage that
the birds could obtain outside.
In many western free-range systems, pullets are
not kept free-range. Here, the pullets are also
kept with access to range from 45 days old. This
means that by the time they reach laying age they
are used to the system. Learning to range early
can result in better ranging later, reducing both
stress and the risk of feather pecking.
Use of a robust, dual-purpose breed
The Beijing You Chicken is a robust breed with
moderate levels of production. The hens produce
just over half as many eggs as intensive breeds
and the cockerels grow at a quarter of the rate of
fast growing broilers.
These lower rates of production protect the birds
from a range of health and welfare problems
which intensively reared birds are prone to:
•
Hens are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis,
which can lead to bone breakages;
•
Risk of feather pecking may be reduced due to
lower nutrient demand;
•
Cockerels are much less likely to suffer from
fatigue, heart problems, lameness and mortality
rates may be reduced.
These advantages particularly suit the You
Chickens to lower-input, organic diets which
are less concentrated in nutrients. Being a dualpurpose breed is also good for the welfare of the
cockerels which, instead of being killed shortly
after birth, are reared for 60-120 days for meat.
There is also evidence from studies elsewhere in
the world that eggs and meat from free-range
and slower growing breeds are healthier. For
example, studies suggest they contain higher
quantities of long-chain omega-3 fatty-acidsi.
6
The hens start to lay at 130-150 days old,
continuing to be productive until they are sent
for slaughter at around 500 days old (some are
kept for longer, until around 700 days). They lay
between around 170 eggs per year, compared
with over 300 eggs per year for many orthodox
commercial breeds. This is partly because many
of the birds show brooding behaviours at times,
a natural trait which the Oil Chicken Institute is
hoping to breed out of them in time.
However, this moderate egg yield has significant
potential advantages for welfare, especially in an
organic system. The production of large numbers
of eggs can put hens under metabolic pressure,
especially on a locally-produced, organic diet
which has a less precise nutritional formulation.
Highly productive hens can leach calcium from
their bones in the process of making egg-shells,
leading to a higher risk of bone fractures at their
most productive period early in lay. Shortage
of protein and essential amino-acids due to the
requirements of egg production can also increase
the risk of feather pecking and cannibalism, as
hens turn to each other’s bodies as a source of
essential nutrients. Many more productive hens
also become emaciated towards the end-of-lay
as body condition deteriorates. This does not
happen with the You Chicken hens, who are sold
at the end-of-lay for meat at a weight of around
2kg – fetching a higher price even than the You
broilers (hen meat is considered in China to be
a particularly nutritious food for nursing mothers).
Producing more sustainable numbers of eggs
makes the You Chicken suitable for higher
welfare and organic systems, since it gives
them the adaptability to cope with a varied diet
without loss of body condition. Where flocks
remain productive, they are sometimes allowed to
moult naturally and continue producing until they
are 700 days old. This is achieved without forced
moulting, a procedure designed to speed up the
moulting process when egg production ceases.
Forced moulting involves depriving hens of
adequate feed and water for a period and causes
very poor welfare. It is banned by most organic
certifying bodies.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Ranging cockerels. The provision of cover mimics the natural environment of chickens and encourages ranging.
The cockerels take 60-120 days to reach a
slaughter weight of 0.5-1.5kg compared to an
intensive bird who can reach 1.5kg in around
30 days. A lower share, or partition of energy
and other nutrients to production, leaves more
available for balanced growth and exercise.
Slow growth gives time for joints, muscles and
the cardiovascular system to develop properly
in proportion to the rest of the body. The birds
are much more active since they are less likely to
suffer from fatigue, lameness and heart problems.
Robust breeds may also have stronger immune
systems, reducing the need for antibiotic use
which is common in intensive birds, whereas they
are never used for the You Chicken cockerels and
“very rarely” for the hens.
Compared to the welfare of standard broiler
breeders, there are also benefits for the parent
birds. Since they don’t have the genetics for fast
growth, the parent birds can be kept on a diet
Cockerel shed. Raised wire platform keep
resting birds above their droppings but are
not a good substitute for perches.
without the normal feed restriction practised in
standard farming (except for a few days around
the start-of-lay) without the risk of obesity.
Unfortunately, the parent flocks are kept in cages.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
7
Indoor environments
The hens are kept in groups of 2,400-2,500 at a
stocking density of around 8.5 birds/m2. Simple
plastic nest boxes are provided for the hens to lay
in. We were told very few eggs are laid outside the
boxes. The sheds have large unglazed windows
which provide ventilation and natural light. The
windows are covered with netting and have cloth
and plastic covers which can be used to close them
up to keep the birds secure at night.
The sheds have a series of pop-holes leading to a
large open-range area, significant parts of which
are covered with trees and small bushes.
The cockerels are kept in groups of 3-4,000.
Stocking densities inside the sheds are around
14 birds/m2, reduced to 11 for those kept for
the full 120 days. This means a maximum of
around 18kg/m2 compared to 25kg/m2 we have
previously been told is standard for intensive
farms in China and over 40kg/m2 for intensive
farms in the EU with controlled ventilation.
Stocking densities inside are of course lower
when part of the flock is ranging outside.
Keeping birds in relatively small groups encourages
ranging and lower stocking densities permit birds
to move around easily, thus can reduce the buildup of heat, humidity and ammonia. Low stocking
densities are also important for systems with
cockerels approaching sexual maturity, reducing
the risk of aggression or allowing extra space for
subordinate birds to escape.
Inside the sheds, the birds are provided with a
slightly raised, wire resting area. Whilst perching
is natural for birds, this is not a particularly
suitable surface. Being raised above the ground
will help the birds to keep cool.
There is also a scratching area in the shed, although
no litter is provided. Older birds can get out onto the
range to scratch and dust-bathe, but the provision of
litter inside would be beneficial to encourage natural
behaviours, especially for younger birds before they
are allowed out at 45 days old. The provision of litter
is a requirement in all EU broiler systems.
All sheds have natural light. Two wire platforms are provided for perching. You Chicken hens.
8
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Health and welfare outcomes
Mortality levels for hens range from 3-7%,
averaging 4%. The main causes of death are due
to predators, feather pecking and cannibalism
and sometimes due to suffocation when birds
panic and run towards a corner of the shed.
Mortality rates of less than 3% are claimed for
the cockerels. This compares very favourably with
common mortality rates in free-range production.
It is believed that levels of bone fracture are low.
Bone fractures are a problem in battery units
towards the end-of-lay, since lack of exercise
leads to osteoporosis. Fractures are a problem in
alternative systems around the peak-of-lay, due
to bones being weakened in the process of egg
production. Low levels of bone breakage are likely
in the You birds, as they can exercise and they don’t
produce unsustainable numbers of eggs. It would
be useful if levels of bone breakage were measured.
For meat birds, levels of hock burns and footpad
dermatitis (FPD) are said to be very rarely seen
(and you would expect FPD to be noticed in
a country where chicken feet are eaten as
a delicacy). Routine use of antibiotics is not
permitted under organic regulations, although
they are used therapeutically when necessary for
pullets. They are not used at all for the cockerels
which, combined with low mortality rates,
suggests that levels of health are high.
Improving welfare
Welfare might be improved by the provision of
higher perches in the sheds. Perching is a natural
behaviour which enables birds to avoid predators
whilst resting. Although predators would
normally not be able to get into the hen houses,
higher perches would help the birds to feel more
secure. Hens will naturally choose higher perches
if they are provided. They might also enable birds
to rest with less risk of feather pecking.
The provision of a foraging and dust-bathing area
in the shed, along the middle concrete corridor,
could also help welfare. Although it is true that
the birds can perform these behaviours outside
on range, indoor foraging areas are appreciated
by birds, especially in poor weather or before the
pop-holes are opened in the morning; indoor
foraging areas could also reduce the risk of
feather pecking (a displaced foraging behaviour).
It would also be beneficial for the welfare of
chicks in the first 45 days of life before they have
access to the outdoor range.
Provision of enclosed nesting areas would also
improve welfare since hens naturally seek out
secluded areas in which to nest.
Welfare could also be improved by measuring
welfare indicators such as hock burn and FPD in
broilers (both said to be low), feather pecking
and bone breakages in laying hens. It may well be
that all of these are low, but it would be helpful
to have figures for this.
Welfare of parent birds could be improved
considerably by keeping them in more extensive,
higher welfare, cage-free systems.
SUMMARY
This system has benefits for chickens, the
environment, consumers and producers:
1. For consumers it provides eggs and meat
which are valued for their higher quality,
taste, health and environmental benefits.
2. For the birds, it means a life in a higherwelfare system, with a healthier breed,
with access to the outdoors. Meat birds
also benefit from a longer life.
3. Environmental benefits include the
avoidance of chemical pesticides and
fertilisers as well as the production of
renewable energy in the biodigester.
4. The added value in the product means
higher profit margins for the company
and for the farmers.
5. Keeping birds with access to the
outdoors can improve the nutritional
quality of the meat and eggs, especially
in relation to fat composition.
Open nest boxes are provided for laying. It
should be noted that hens naturally prefer
enclosed nests.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
9
TABLES
BROILER GROWER – DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM
10
Date/Time of visit
24 May 2012
Certification scheme
China Organic Food
Total number of birds on farm
6,000
Number of birds in each group (i.e. shed plus
surround) if different
3,000 to 4,000 in each shed
Breed
Beijing You Chicken
Feed type/amount/delivery
Self-produced corn and purchased soy
Food Conversion Ratio or FCR (can be worked
out from amount of food each bird eats divided
by weight of bird at slaughter)
Around 3
Slaughter weight
3 types:
0.5kg slaughtered at 60 days;
1kg at 90 days and 1.5kg at 120 days
Highest stocking density at slaughter
(kg/m2)
For those slaughtered at 60 days, about 14 birds
per square metre. For those at 120 days, 11 birds
maximum per square metre.
Number of thinnings
None
Mortality and cull rates
Less than 3%
Hock mark rates
Very rarely seen, not recorded
Footpad mark rates
Very rarely seen, not recorded
Other health problems
Very rarely seen, not recorded
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Antibiotic use – what percentage of flocks
None used
receive some antibiotic treatment
Back page to include heading, logo, address and
Welfare problems
Normal dominance behaviour. Cockerels showed
tel
E.g. aggression, feather pecking
some comb damage in consequence, though
feather cover was good.
Address details:
River life)
Court, Mill Lane, Godalming,
Lighting regimes (throughout
Natural Surrey
light GU7
1EZ
Litter
Email: [email protected] None provided
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 521 950
Indoor environmental enrichment
Iron box platforms
Registered Charity No 1095050
Perches, bales, forage, toys
Number of stockpersons
(person hours per day/week)
Also ciwf.org/gap
Frequency of checking birds
Transport to slaughter
(distance + time)
Acknowledgements
A couple will take care of 2 to 3 barns, 8 hours
per day
Very often, including feeding
40km (about 1 hour)
Animal Compassion Foundation
Number of dead on arrival
About
10 birds out of 3000 (0.3%)
Bainianliyuan Eco-Agriculture
Co Ltd
Mr Wei and the staff of the Beijing Animal
Market
Whole birds
Husbandry and Veterinary Station
Oil Chicken Institute
Cost/price
Price for 60-day old, 0.5kg male bird is between
and Forestry
(per bird and per kilo) Beijing Academy of Agriculture
30-40RMB;
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Research
90-day old 1kg male bird is between 50-60RMB;
Institute.
120-day old 1.25kg female bird is 70-80 RMB.
Zunguo Zhou
price Farming
per end-of-lay hen at 500 days old is
All photos are Compassion The
in World
108RMB, but due to good market conditions the
copyright unless stated otherwise
price was due to be raised to 198 per bird.
Profit per bird 2-3RMB for co-op farmer compared
with 1RMB for an intensive bird; company makes
March 2013
20RMB profit per bird.
(Endnotes)
Are sexes kept apart or mixed?
Apart
1
Compassion in World Farming,
When is access to range provided?
open
for the whole day.
2012. Nutritional BenefitsSummer
of Higher
Welfare
Winter from 9am to 4pm.
Products. http://www.ciwf.org.uk/nutrition
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
11
LAYING HENS FARM
12
Date/Time of visit
24 May 2012
Certification system
China Organic Food
Breed (males and females)
Beijing You Chicken
Total flock size
105,000
Group size
2,400-2,500
Age when transferred to laying house
45 days
Age at end-of-lay
500 days
No. of eggs per year/production cycle
170
Stocking density at beginning of lay
(numbers/m2)
10 birds per square metre, about 1.25kg each
Feed type
Self-produced corn and purchased soy.
Amount of feed per day per bird
Information not available
Food Conversion Efficiency (FCR)
Information not available
Antibiotic use
The antibiotic used for treatment instead of
prevention. Only a “little amount” was used for
laying hens 2011-2012.
Veterinary visits
Irregular
Mutilations
None
Mortality and cull rates
No precise figures
Litter
None provided
Indoor environmental enrichment
Perches, bales, forage, toys
Iron box platforms
Outdoor environment
Range with tree cover
Rearing environment
As adults. Iron platforms.
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
Is forced moulting practised?
No
Number of stockpersons
(person hours per day/week)
24 stockpersons and 1 manager
Frequency of checking birds
Several times per day
Dead on arrivals
No precise figures, but claimed to be “very few”
Market
Supermarket
Price per egg
Sold for nearly twice the price of standard battery
eggs
REFERENCES
i
Compassion in World Farming, 2012. Nutritional Benefits of Higher Welfare Products. http://www.
ciwf.org.uk/nutrition
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
CHICKEN PRODUCTION
13
EGG & CHICKEN CASE STUDY
BEIJING YOU CHICKEN
Sustainable and organic egg and chicken meat production using a traditional, dual-purpose breed.
Compassion in World Farming
River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EZ, UK.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 521 950
Web: ciwf.org/gap
Registered Charity No 1095050.
Acknowledgements
Animal Compassion Foundation
Bainianliyuan Eco-Agriculture Co Ltd
Mr Wei and the staff of the Beijing Animal
Husbandry and Veterinary Station
Oil Chicken Institute
Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Research
Institute
Zunguo Zhou
All photos are Compassion in World Farming
copyright unless stated otherwise.
March 2013.
2